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Show WMKai AmIcm ilu-ts-r1 Volume XV -- I No. 7 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH July 1969 Shuman writes Attorney General asks investigation of 'conspiracy' in boycott of California grapes FB Charles B. Shuman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, has sent a letter to John N. Mitchell, U.S. attorney general, asking him to investigate the current boycott of California grapes for a possible conspiracy in restraint of trade. C The letter is the result of action by the Bo ard of Directors of the American Farm Bureau Fed- : ? eration which met in Washington, D.C., this month. " p Text of the letter is as follows: Tells of apparent arson J , Grant condemns 'coercion and violence of union f arson' directed Instances of violence and i r apparent against Coachella Valley table grape growers as well as those in other grape areas of the state and reported instances of damage and violence in supermarkets, have been thoroughly condemned by Allan Grant, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Speaking to grape growers at Indio on June 18, Grant underscored the ironic situation in which the farm workers union of . . . Cesar Chavez, disciple of non- - : in the face of the unions step- war of nerves. He thorped-u- p oughly endorsed the current position of the majority of the states table growers which makes it clear that they will not sell out the American consumer or agricultural workers to the coercive pressures of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee. IN THE MEANTIME, Farm the boycott technique against the producers of grapes also threaten its application against other perishable, commodities, imme- diate action by your office is im- perative. At issue is not only the very livelihood of producers of perishable commodities, but the protection of all consumers in the exercise of their basic rights of free choice in the marketplace. Bennett Amendment Includes Lamb The Senate Finance Committee has approved an amendment offered by Sen. Wallace F. Bennett, which would modify a meat Import quota bill to Include lamb. This amendment is of substantial significance to Utah, which is the 6th leading state in total number of sheep. In fact, sheep represent a $30 (m) million in our state' Sen. industry Bennett explained. Lamb Imports The Utahn said, in 1968 were the highest in our history, with nearly 23 (m) million pounds entering the country. were also the These Imports In our history as a perhighest our domestic of production centage in 1968 and, in fact, doubled to 1967. The increase compared was from 2.1 per cent of domestic to 4.2 per production In 1967 cent in 1968. ' The Bennett amendment would fix a quota for lamb based on average imports in the three year period, 1966 through 1968. Under the quota, the Secretary of Agriculture would fix a special celling on lamb Imports by limitsuch Imports to the same ing (Continued on page 8) R-Ut- ah, cott as a club hanging over their heads at the bargaining table, he stressed. Lets face it. With such tools as the boycott and the right to strike at harvest time, the UFWOC could continue to hold the trump cards, regardless cf any contracts signed." GRANT SAID the majority of Californias growers, food pro- cessors, and food retail markets recognize the necessity for na- tional legislation that will equal- ly protect the farmer, the farm and the consumer. Grant urged California table grape growers to stand together Bureau across the country is continuing to set up its freedom to market committees on a local basis as an aid toward getting and keeping grapes on the shelves of retail stores, including the big chains, and giving consumers the right to make up their own minds as to whether they want to buy grapes. Giving the consumers the right of decision, and working for farm labor legislation designed to protect all concerned, are the moves that need to be made now, said Grant. Violence is only going to worsen the situation. So are signed contracts r, between the UFWOC and ers which force workers to join the union whether they want to or not. grow-worke- Council of Churches backs UFWOC's legislative goals A spokesman for the National Council of Churches has expressed respect for the integrity of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee and its leadership and has called on Congress to give very careful consideration to UFWOCs recommendation that the Labor Management Relations Act be extended amendments. These into agriculture without the clude the clause and prohibit secondary boycotts and recognition and organizational picketing. Rev. Shirley S. Greene, field secretary of the national division, Taft-Hartl- ey right-to-wo- rk Methodist Board of Missions speaking in behalf of the Coun- cil told a Senate Labor Subcommittee on June 18 that the are amendments asand the to hopes deadly pirations of the UFWOC. The clergyman said the National Council of Churches re jects Farm Bureaus proposal for the inclusion of language in legislation which would pro- hibit contracts providing for union membership as a basis of employment. THE COUNCIL has a con- Taft-Hartl- ey sistent record of opposition to so- he called laws, right-to-wo- rk said. The Council is the first group to support UFWOCs extremist position during the Senate Subcommittees hearings. George Meany, AFLrCIO president, sup- ported the extension of LMRA to agriculture at an earlier hear-th- e jng, but called the matter of exemptions from the provisions of and Landrum-continuin- g the Taft-HartlGriffin Acts a battle for another day. ey ms 06 06 TOXDLlSREGrABS 00 Ms (too 00 tacto Itojb (sfcfa IM $ F. B. Women Urged to Attend Fish Lake Meet Distinctive Clothing For Washington Trip To be Selected Barbara Whitbeck, UFB Women's Chairman, has announced that a special meeting for all Farm Bureau women will be held at Fish Lake. "It's urgent that all of our county women's chairmen be at the meeting, Mrs. Whitbeck said. "And we want to invite all of the other women who are able to come." The meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 14th in the Fish Lake Lodge, preceded by a 9 a.m. state women's committee meeting. with Among the main topics of discussion will be the selection of a distinctive article of gold clothing to be worn by the Utah delegation to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Washington D. C. in December. It has been customary for Utahns attending the AFBF conventions to wear an Identifying badge or other identifying mark, Mrs. Whitbeck pointed out. Past symbols have teen neckerchiefs, hatbands and lapel dec- Prizes accident-fre- e will also be given for the test safety slogan. The Talent Find contest will also be discussed and questions answered about procedures where counties have no Young Farmers and Ranchers committee to handle it. We're looking forward to meeting as many of our women as possible at Fish Lake," Mrs. Whitbeck said. This has teen one of our most active years and we orations. A noth outstanding records. want to keep the momentum up. We have a log of women working hard on all our projects and we're item to be discussed are the safety contest being held in cooperation with the Utah Farm extremely pleased with the success we're seeing. Bureau Insurance Company. Trophies will be given to counties advocates tax credits as aid to education FB The American Farm Bureau Federation has told Congress that the lawmakers can contribute to improved elementary and secondary education programs by enacting the State Tax, Education, and Welfare Act of 1969 (H.R. 10580). This bill introduced by Representative Omar Burleson (D.) of Texas, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee incorporates Farm Bureaus recommendations for returning responsibility for education and welfare programs to the states through die use of federal income tax credits. In a letter to Senator Claiborne Pell (D.) of Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Education Subcommittee, Farm Bureau commented on a federal school CQQd bill (H.R. 514) being considered H- t by the Subcommittee and added: o Ct Hfc FARM BUREAU members Q have become increasingly concerned with the expansion of federal aid to education and the consequence control of local educational facilities by the federal government. It has been clearly demonstrated that federal control inevitably accompanies fed- - a ever-increasi- ng r M G n |